CABINETS FOR FOODSTUFFS IN CONTAINERS

Abstract: A foodstuffs cabinet (1) which incorporates a plurality of dispensers or trays (40) located within the cabinet disposed upon a set of supporting means (7) within the cabinet, characterised in that the trays or dispensers (40) are each capable of supporting a layer of cylindrical foodstuffs containers (15, 41, 42) lying side by side directed towards the front of the cabinet and being or including a part inclined, when disposed in the cabinet, downwardly towards the front of the cabinet, whereby the containers are gravity urged to the front thereof, and including means to locate containers disposed on the trays or dispensers.

Description: CABINETS FOR FOODSTUFFS IN CONTAINERS This invention relates to cabinets for foodstuffs in containers, and more especially to cabinets for hand-sized cylindrical containers for foodstuffs such as cans and bottles of drinks, soups or vegetables for example. Such cabinets, often refrigerated to a greater or lesser extent, are commonly of an upright rectangular nature having a front-disposed door, usually transparent, openable about a vertical hinge line at one side of the cabinet and are commonly utilised in retail outlets, such as shops and supermarkets, for the display and often the self-service removal by customers of various items of drinks or other foodstuffs in containers such as cans, cartons and bottles. Such cabinets are invariably provided with a number of shelves, which are capable of being disposed in one of a number of vertically separated locations within the cabinet on one of a plurality of sets of supporting means integral with or attached to appropriate vertical walls of the cabinet, such supporting means being lugs extending inwardly from the side and rear walls, or slots in the walls for example. The shelves provided are intended each to carry a plurality of stacks or layered rows of varying brands of containers one above each other, the stacks being separated to enable access by a customers hand. Thus for example canned beverages can be provided in up to six or more stacked double layered rows on one shelf. Each double row is expected to support the adjacent double row from falling over during handling. Such cabinets are hereinafter referred to as "cabinets of the kind described" . Where such cabinets are used for self-service, it is frequently found that the customers, particularly juvenile customers, do not only take a particular can or container which they require, but also, by negligence, or accidentally seeking for a particular container or of a colder variety, disturb and upset the containers of other foodstuffs within the cabinet with serious detrimental effect on the display of foodstuffs within the cabinet, and potential hazard from tumbling containers upon opening the cabinet door, and within the cabinet itself, for subsequent customers. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least substantially reduce the above mentioned problems. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a foodstuffs display and self-service cabinet of the kind described, incorporating a plurality of dispensers or trays located within the cabinet disposed upon a set of supporting means within the cabinet, characterised in that the trays or dispensers are each capable of supporting a layer of cylindrical foodstuffs containers lying side by side in a line directed towards the front of the cabinet and being or including a part inclined, when disposed in the cabinet, downwardly towards the front of the cabinet, whereby the containers are gravity urged to the front thereof, and including means to locate containers disposed on the trays or dispensers. The means to locate containers disposed on the trays or dispensers may comprise ribs, or wires or similar devices for locating the cylindrical containers in a single file configuration side by side relative to the front of the cabinet, or for separating files of such containers side by side from each other. The cabinet of the present invention may incorporate the trays or dispensers located upon horizontal shelves within the cabinets of the kind normally supplied with such cabinets, and in addition may incorporate trays or dispensers as hereinbefore defined located within the cabinet and disposed upon a set of the usual shelf supporting means of the cabinet. Alternatively, the trays or dispensers as hereinbefore defined may be disposed in a cabinet taking the place of all or most of the horizontal shelves normally provided and in some embodiments, may be arranged for incorporation into the cabinet during its manufacture and assembly. It is to be understood that a plurality of trays or dispensers may be provided between horizontal shelves in dependence on the vertical separating of the shelves. A plurality of trays or dispensers may be constructed together one above the other for insertion as a plural tray or dispenser into the cabinet. In a preferred form of the invention each dispenser or tray is in the form of a double, vertically separated unit, the upper part of which including upper container support means inclined downwardly from the front of the cabinet, when disposed therein, to the back and then communicating, in such a manner as to allow feed under gravity of containers therefrom, to a lower part including lower container support means which constitutes the part of the tray or dispenser which is inclined downwardly to the front of the cabinet when in use. Such a dispenser unit enables containers of foodstuffs to be loaded at the upper part at or adjacent the front of the cabinet, such that as containers are taken from the front of the lower part of the unit, containers move from the front (following loading) to the back of the upper part of the unit, and then pass down to the back of the lower part of the unit for movement forward under gravity for dispensing from the front of the container. Such dispenser units may be self contained units having side walls held together with spacer members and including appropriately inclined runways for the containers in the upper and lower parts, the runways comprising for example plastic or metal mesh, or minimal tracks arranged to engage the sides only (i.e. the peripheral edges of the containers) as they move under gravity along the upper and lower parts of the dispenser unit. The dispenser unit may be of a width such as to accommodate just one bank of containers or may be such that between the sides of the units, a plurality of files of containers may be disposed, each file separated by appropriate means such as a rail or wire separator. The plurality of files may be increased or decreased to take account of varying sizes of cabinet within which the dispenser units are to be fitted by arranging for connecting separators between side walls of the units to be of varying length, such as by comprising telescopically adjustable members, upon which a varied number of file separators may be fitted. It is to be appreciated that such variable width of the dispenser unit can be used to provide a greater or lesser width for containers of greater or lesser axial length, and more generally to enable the dispenser unit, or a plurality of same, to fit neatly and with professional appearance within a cabinet. Again, the dispenser units may be arranged to accept foodstuff containers of varying diameter varying for example from grocery cans to slim drinks cans, on the basis that they are designed for the optimum diameter to be accommodated within a range, the spacing providing the vertical transfer channel at or adjacent the back of the unit between the upper part and the lower part of the unit may be provided with an adjustable rear guide member capable of movement forward and back so as to be able to accommodate, in a single file nature, cylindrical foodstuff containers of various diameters. Similarly the level of the upper runway may be adjustable to provide adequate headroom for containers on the lower runway. The tray or dispenser unit may be formed from wires or plastics network, or a sheet material of plastics, metal or other material. By means of the invention an independent and a relatively stable display of different foodstuffs such as drinks in cans, bottles, cartons or other containers can be set out within a display cabinet of the kind described. The invention includes within its scope a tray or dispenser for use in a foodstuffs cabinet in accordance with the invention as hereinbefore defined. In order that the invention may be more readily understood three embodiments will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic side elevational section of a drinks cabinet not incorporating the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic side elevational section of a drinks cabinet incorporating a plurality of dispenser units in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a side elevation partially in section showing a dispenser unit according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a telescopic spacer support rod of the dispenser unit of Figure 3 in a closed position; Figure 5 shows the spacer separator unit of Figure 3 partially opened with the insertion of two further file separator walls; Figure 6 is a scrap section on the line VI-VI of Figure 3 showing the construction of the tracks for the cylindrical containers within the dispenser unit of Figure 3; and Figures 7 and 8 show alternative embodiments of trays or dispensers according to the invention usable within the cabinet of Figure 1. Referring now to Figure 1 it will be seen that an upright rectangular cooled drinks containing cabinet 1 has a top 2 (containing a refrigeration unit), a base 3, a back wall 4 and side walls 5 (one shown). Removably carried on support studs 6 on the side walls and back wall, are a number of shelves 7 of a known sturdy type able to carry substantial quantities of double layered rows of drinks containers, such as cans 15. A transparent door 8 mounted on vertically aligned hinges 9 at one side is openable by customers for access to and self-service removal of particular cans of drinks, and also of course for restocking by the retail proprietor of the cabinet. Referring now to Figures 2 to 6, it will be seen that, in accordance with the invention, the horizontal shelves 7 now carry a plurality of dispenser units 40 more clearly shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6. As can be seen, self service of the cans 15 from the dispenser units is by means of taking the front can 41 from the lower part of each of the units in question, gravity ensuring feed from those cans 42 packed by the operator of the unit at the front of the upper part of each unit. It is to be appreciated that a plurality of units side by side may be located within the cabinet at each level thereof, and also that, as hereinafter defined, each unit may be of a different width with respect to the files of cans that can be carried. It is to be observed that the base of the cabinet is no longer stacked in the traditional manner with cans (shown at 43 in Figure 1), which would normally be placed there for pre-cooling prior to loading onto shelves. Referring now to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings there is to be seen a dispenser unit 40 having side walls 44 held apart by three telescopic spacer support members 45. Internal walls 46 are provided mounted on the spacer support members 45 and extending from back to front of the dispenser unit. Each wall 45, 46 carries elongate protrusions 47 at a lower and upper level comprising tracks for the cans 15 to roll along, under gravity, at and adjacent to their end peripheries. It will be observed that the tracks constitute a rearwardly downwardly inclined upper part 48, and a frontwardly downwardly inclined lower part 49, the lower part of the tracks including, at the front edge, an upwardly turned lip 50 to retain cans at that disposition from falling out of the unit, and having at their rear portion a curved guide 55 for containers in transition from the rearwardly inclined upper part to the forwardly inclined lower part. It is to be seen that the unit as is designed for an optimum diameter can, but can be adapted for use with smaller diameter cans (for example) quite readily. Thus, no alternation is needed with respect to the upper and lower tracks 48 and 49, except that extensions 51 to the upper track, as shown in dotted line, can be added (by plugging into the relevant walls) to the rearwardly inclined upper track 48 for smaller cans to ensure that the spacing between the rear end thereof, and the back support portion of the lower track is appropriate for smaller diameter cans. In an alternative arrangement not illustrated, the rear support can itself by telescopically movable upon the lower track part of the unit for forward and backward movement to accommodate smaller cans. Again but not shown, larger cans can be accommodated by adjustable level upper tracks 48 (to increase head room on the lower tracks 47) and by shortening the rear end of the upper track 48 to provide adequate space for cans to pass between the two tracks 48 and 47. As can be clearly seen from Figures 4 and 5, the telescopic spacer support members 45 are, in the fully closed position, arranged for the receipt of two internal walls 46, thereby providing three tracks 47 on the spurs of those inner and outer walls for three files of separate foodstuff containers. In other circumstances it may well be desirable to have a wider dispensing unit with a greater number of files or cans, and this can be done, as is illustrated in Figure 6, where the telescopic support spacer member has been opened out, and two further walls 46 inserted so that the overall unit now provides a total of four internal walls, together with the two outside walls 44 thereby defining five files of foodstuff containers within the unit itself. Alternatively such widening of the unit can be done with no or less increase of files to provide wider files for cans of greater axial length. It will be appreciated that a customer, in a self service basis, selects a particular foodstuff can 41 from the lower level of a dispenser unit, and in doing so the can behind the selected one on the lower part will automatically roll forward from behind it. Cans from the upper part of the unit in that file will then move back to fill up the space in the lower part. It will be appreciated that entrance to the upper part of the unit at the front thereof may include an access door 51 normally shut, and opened by the operator for re-stocking purposes. Advantages of the dispenser unit arrangement within a self service cooled cabinet are as follows: 1. No gaps develop on selecting a can by a customer from the lower track due to the forward feeding arrangement, thus making the display stable within the cabinet. 2. Colder and older dated cans are always the first to be taken from the lower track, thus minimising health risks and preventing stock wastage due to expiry date problems. 3. Following from (2) above, if the expiry date is approaching or has passed, it is easy for the operator to monitor and withdraw the can from the unit. 4. Re-stocking of the upper channel may be done at leisure by the operator. Even if only one can of a particular product is left on the lower channel, it will be at the front with empty spaces behind it. Thus, the display looks professional and stable. 5. The shelves usually used for carrying surplus stock for pre-cooling are no longer required and also eliminates the possibility of mixing new and old cans. The extra shelf space so rebased within the cabinet is therefore available to display more stock. 6. The unit allows an independent professional looking display. 7. The units allows efficient circulation of cold air within the cabinet due to spacing between the tracks, thus saving energy and cutting costs. Referring now to Figures 7 and 8 it will be seen that there is schematically illustrated other embodiments of inclined trays for use in the dispensing of circular section containers, such as bottles or cans. Figure 7 illustrates a single such tray 20 where the base 21 is such that the upper surface is higher (in use) at the back 22 of the cabinet within which it is disposed and lower at the front 23 so that cans 24 (for example) placed upon the tray in a lateral position will roll to the front. The tray is formed of a sheet plastics or metal material and has retaining side 25 and front 26, and rear 27 walls, and is intended to be supported within the cabinet by means of side protrusions 28 from the two side walls 25. The upper surface of the base is provided with ribs 29 extending from the front to the back to separate the rows of containers. Figure 8 shows an extension of the arrangement of Figure 7 where an integral unit 30 of three inclined trays 31, 32, 33 having been formed integrally for insertion as a unit into a holding cabinet for foodstuffs. It is to be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of cabinets for drinks containers and trays therefor in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention. Thus trays or dispensers for cylindrical containers including the inventive features herein specified may be arranged for use in display and self service areas separate from cabinets such as on ordinary horizontal grocery shelving where, for example, the contained products are grocery cans not requiring cooling or refrigeration.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A foodstuffs cabinet incorporating a plurality of dispensers or trays located within the cabinet disposed upon a set of supporting means within the cabinet, characterised in that the trays or dispensers are each capable of supporting a layer of cylindrical foodstuffs containers lying side by side in a line directed towards the front of the cabinet and being or including a part inclined, when disposed in the cabinet, downwardly towards the front of the cabinet, whereby the containers are gravity urged to the front thereof, and including means to locate containers disposed on the trays or dispensers. 2. A cabinet as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the means to locate containers disposed on the trays or dispensers comprises ribs or wires or similar devices for locating the cylindrical containers in a single file configuration side by side relative to the front of the cabinet, or for separating files of such containers side by side from each other. 3. A cabinet as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 incorporating the trays or dispensers located upon horizontal shelves within the cabinets of the kind normally supplied therewith. 4. A cabinet as claimed in Claim 3 wherein additionally there is incorporated trays or dispensers located within the cabinet and disposed upon a set of the usual shelf supporting means of the cabinet without support from horizontal shelves. 5. A cabinet as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 wherein a plurality of trays or dispensers are provided between horizontal shelves. 6. A cabinet as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the trays or dispensers are disposed in the cabinet taking the place of all or most of the horizontal shelves normally provided. 7. A cabinet wherein a plurality of trays or dispensers are constructed together one above the other for insertion as a plural tray or dispenser into the cabinet. 8. A cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each dispenser or tray is in the form of a double vertically separated unit, the upper part of which includes upper container support means inclined downwardly from the front of the cabinet, when disposed therein, to the back and then communicates in such a manner as to allow feed under gravity of containers therefrom, to a lower part including lower container support means which constitutes the part of the tray or dispenser which is inclined downwardly to the front of the cabinet when in use. 9. A cabinet as claimed as in Claim 8 wherein the dispenser units are self contained units having side walls held together with space members and include appropriate inclined upper and lower runways for the containers in the upper and lower parts respectively thereof. 10. A cabinet as claimed in Claim 8 or 9 wherein the runways are formed by tracks of limited width arranged to engage the containers at each end thereof as they move under gravity along the upper and lower parts of the dispenser unit. 11. A cabinet as claimed in any one of Claims 8, 9 or 10 wherein the dispenser unit is of such width that a plurality of filed containers are herein disposed each file being separated by appropriate means. 12. A cabinet as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the separation means comprises an internal wall of the unit extending from the back to the front thereof. 13. A cabinet as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 12 wherein the side walls of the units are inter¬ connected by support separators of variable length whereby a variable number of files of containers maybe located side by side across and within the dispenser unit. 14. A cabinet as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 13 wherein the level of the runways is adjustable, and/or the transfer channel at or adjacent the back of the unit between the upper part and lower part thereof is adjustable in spacing whereby to accommodate foodstuff containers of varying diameters moving through the unit and transferring under gravity from the upper to the lower part of the dispenser unit. 15. A cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the tray or dispenser unit is formed from plastics material. 16. A tray or dispenser unit for use in a foodstuffs cabinet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

Inventors: AKBERALI HASSAN BADRUDING, AKBERALI, HASSAN, BADRUDING
Applicants: AKBERALI HASSAN BADRUDING, AKBERALI, HASSAN, BADRUDING
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A47F1
IPC codes: A47F1